Gary Neville called it, “The biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League.”

Everyone knows the scenario in the closing moments of the match following Leandro Trossard’s goal in the 83rd minute. Chaos, havoc, pushing, shoving, clawing, holding, you name it was going on in the Hammers penalty box when Callum Wilson knock a loose ball home to apparently tie the match.

A draw might have given West Ham a slim chance to avoid relegation, while a win would move Arsenal another step closer to winning the championship. It was a tense, and very key moment to help determine the outcome of the season’s final table.

Everyone held their collective breath until referee Chris Kavanaugh scanned his VAR monitor and then announcement there was a foul on David Raya that would nullify the goal. WHU’s Pablo had held the arm of Raya during the corner kick just prior to Wilson’s foot finding the ball.

Arsenal would win 1-0 and move five points clear of Manchester City. The Hammers would remain one point below Tottenham Hotspur in 18th place.

A few observations: First, David Raya also help to save the season with a miraculous one v one save from the foot of Crysencio Summerville. The Arsenal goalkeeper was superb, as was Martin Odegaard when in camee on late in the second half. The Arsenal captain instantly sparked the offense his creativity and provided the assist to Trossard for the Belgium’s goal.

Secondly, there was some weird substituting by Mikel Arteta in the second half. At one point Martin Zubimendi replaced the injured right back Ben White, but Declan Rice moved to replace him at right back. Then later, Kai Havertz replaced Zubimendi in midfield, Myles Lewis-Skelly moved to right back with Rice coming back into the midfield. There had to be some method to his madness, but, whatever it was, it seemed to work.

Arsenal has Burnley and Crystal Palace left to play in the league. Man City has Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa yet to face. With both teams winning out, the Gunners would win the title by two points.

There is no room for error for the Gunners. No room at all.

COYG!

Gunner1953

The Gunners are 5 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, as well as qualifying to play in the Champions League Final on May 30th. Yes, Arsenal is in a very good place.

However, as all eyes return to the Premier League title race v Manchester City, Arsenal will win the coveted trophy with three straight victories in their final 3 league matches. There is little room for error as Man City is still in the title discussion.

Mikel Arteta heads to London Stadium on Sunday with a healthy squad. Only Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain sidelined.

A strong performance will be needed since West Ham is fighting for survival in the Premier League. The Hammers have a lot riding ion this match as well.

With that said, here is my predicted starting XI v West Ham United…

[4-3-3]

Eze, Gyokeres, Saka

Rice, Odegaard, Lewis-Skelly

Hincapie, Gabriel, Saliba, White

Raya

Predicted final score: West Ham United 0 – ARSENAL 2

COYG!

Gunner1953

It will be a night to remember in North London!

HOWEVER, it’s now time for the  Gunners to come back to earth. A win on Sunday v West Ham United will be one step closer to a Premier League title. Arsenal will be fighting to stay on top, while the Hammers will be trying to stay in the top flight. This will not be any easy match in London Stadium.

Mikel Arteta has no distractions for the rest of the league run-in, so through May 24th all eyes need to be laser focussed on winning the Premier League title.

Of course, the Champions League is Europe’s biggest football stage, however, winning the Premier League is the epitome of English football’s bragging rights, plus it’s been over two decades since the Invincibles did it in 2003/2004. That’s 22 years ago! Yes, it has been a long wait.

Yes, Tuesday was great, but this Sunday needs to be great too!

COYG!

Gunner1953

The Gunners displayed a professional performance on Tuesday to earn the club’s trip to Budapest, Hungary on May 30th to face either PSG or Bayern Munich.

After a very dismal April when things were beginning to become more pain than pleasure, Mikel Arteta and his team produced three solid games in-a-row since losing 2-1 to Man City on April 18th.

After all, April showers bring May flowers.

Now, Arsenal can win the Premier League with three straight wins to close out the season, and then a Champions League title at the end of the month to wrap-up a remarkable campaign.

Just a few short days ago, neither seemed within reach, but here we are, and rightfully so.

Declan Rice was the Man of the Match on Tuesday, with Gabriel, Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Viktor Gyokeres contributing so much, as did the entire team. However, my Hero of the Match was Arteta. The boss has been under a lot of pressure this season, especially recently, withstanding harsh criticism and even personal attacks. But again, here we are on the threshold of winning European football’s Super Bowl.

Congratulations to the entire club for a job well done, so far! There is still work to do.

COYG!

Cheers.

Gunner1953

Arsenal beat Atletico in the UCL League Phase, 4-0, on October 21st, but that was then, and this is now. Atletico has obviously played some terrific football to reach this point in the UCL competition, including knocking out Barcelona in the quarterfinals. The Spanish side is led by Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak. This is no match to take lightly, especially when playing in the Cívitas Metropolitano.

Mikel Arteta’s team cannot be looking past this match towards Sunday v Fulham in the Premier League. The Champions League title is very much obtainable.

With that said, here’s my predicted line-up for Wednesday…

[4-3-3]

Martinelli, Gyokeres, Saka

Rice, Odegaard, Zubimendi

Hincapie, Gabriel, Saliba, White

Raya

Predicted final score: Atletico Madrid 2 – ARSENAL 2

COYG!

Gunner1953

A 1-0 win v Newcastle shoots Arsenal back into first place on the Premier League table, but Manchester City has a game in hand. The Gunners play Fulham on May 2nd, while City will play Everton on May 4th.

The team played well on Saturday. Even though the goals were limited to just one, the Gunners had three other solid shots on goal. Eventually, those close calls will begin to go in. It’s the law of averages. Right? Let’s hope so.

Congrats to Mikel Arteta and his squad as they overcame a lot of outside pressure during the last few weeks to get the three points. From this point one, the focus, the determination and the gut desire they showed on Saturday needs to continue for every second of every remaining match.

Next up: Atletico Madrid in Spain for the 1st leg of the Champions League Semifinals!

COYG!

Gunner1953